Stage for puppets



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9, 196].

INVENTOR. ROBE RT M. COOK BY FULWIDER, MATTINGLY 8 HUNTLEY ATTORNEYSMarch 17, 1964 R. M. cooK 3,124,896

STAGE FOR PUPPETS Filed Oct. 9, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I *TJH INVENTOR.ROBERT M. COOK BY FULWIDER, MATTINGLY a HUNTLEY ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent Office amass Patented Mar. 17, 1964 3,124,896 STAGE FQR PUPPETSRobert M. (Zo'olr, 6506 McLennan Ave, Van Nuys, (Ialif. Filed Get. 9,1961, Ser. No. 143,834 13 Claims. ((Il. 46-13) This invention relates tominiature theatrical stages and more particularly to a miniature stageadapted to the performance thereon of mechanical puppets which arecontrolled from a concealed position below the stage.

The apparatus of this invention is especially adapted to be used inconjunction with mechanical puppets of the kind described in theapplicants copending application Serial No. 38,391 filed June 23, 1960.

Heretofore, miniature stages for puppets or marionettes of the kindcontrolled from beneath the stage floor have taken several differentforms which lack the desired contribution thereof to the facility ofmovement and control of the puppets and also lack realism as to thecontinuity of the stage floor and the positioning of the puppet thereon.For example, in one form of such stage, the stage floor is whollyomitted to afford freedom of movement of the puppets which are movablysupported upon means located below the normal stage floor level. Thus,the latter arrangement, in addition to lacking the realism afforded byactual support and movement of the puppets upon a stage floor, alsorequires the audience to View the theater from a position considerablybelow the stage floor level in order to hide the absence of the stagefloor and place the puppet support and control means out of view.

In another form of such stage, a stage floor is in effect provided, butit is formed with relatively large open spaces or slots through whichthe controlling and supporting means for the puppets extend and whichare visible to the audience unless, as in the first example, theaudience is seated well below the normal stage floor level. Here again,the illusion of realism of movement of the puppets upon the stage flooris lacking. In still other instances, where the stage floor slots aremade sufliciently narrow to give the appearance of continuity to thestage, then there has heretofore been no convenient or quick way toprovide entrance to or exit from the stage for the puppets, while aperformance is in progress.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide iniature stageconstruction improvements which overcome the before mentioneddeficiencies and disadvantages.

It is another object of this invention to provide a miniature stagehaving a stage floor which maintains the appearance of substantialcontinuity at all times, while yet permitting free lateral movement ofthe puppet-control means extending therefrom through the floor.

It is a further object of this invention to furnish a miniature stageaffording improved facility of movement and support of the puppetsthereon.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a miniaturestage of such construction as to afford continuous movable support ofthe puppets on the surface thereof, whereby such movement of the puppetrelative to the stage surface provides a portion of the controlledmotion of a part of the puppet.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a miniaturestage construction combining the desirable effects of a substantiallycontinuous stage floor, puppets controlled through means extendingthrough the floor and at the same time permitting the entrance and exitof puppets to and from the stage scene without manipulations which arevisible to the audience.

The objects of this invention are accomplished, in general, by providinga stage construction which may have the usal wings, back drops, andcurtains, but which has a stage fioor constructed with one or morerelatively narrow slots extending along or across it, and which slot orslots are closed by elongated slide members which are slidablelengthwise therein. Each such slide member is formed with a generallyvertically extending notch in one side or edge thereof to receive andthrough which may extend a control column of a puppet to be positionedin supporting contact upon the upper surface of the stage floor. Bymoving the puppet control column longitudinally of the slot, motion ofthe puppet upon the stage fioor longitudinally of the slot is effected,while at all such times maintaining the stage floor slot closed by theslide member which follows the movement of the control column. Anotherfeature of the objects of this invention is accomplished by providing anopening or openings at the sides of the stage behind the stage wingsinto which the ends of the stage floor extend, thereby permitting thepuppet assemblies to be introduced or withdrawn through such openings inthe stage floor, and the control column thereof positioned in engagementwith or disengaged from the aforementioned notch in the slide members,whereby the puppet can be moved together with the slide member along theslot onto or off the stage.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of novelty of theinvention will be evident hereinafter.

In the drawings in which a preferred embodiment and mode of operation ofthe invention is illustrated and in which like reference charactersdesignate the same or similar parts throughout the several views:

FEGURE 1 is a perspective view of the general construction of theminiature stage and showing the manner of positioning of a puppet forperformance upon the stage.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a position of the stage floor,generally indicated at line 2-2 in FIG- URE 1, showing in slightlyenlarged detail the stage floor, slot, and slide member construction.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross sectional detail view taken on line 3-3 ofFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross sectional View taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE2.

Apparatus Referring now primarily to FIGURE 1, 10 is a stage floorcomprising a plurality of parallel stage boards positioned from front torear of the stage respectively, at 12, 14, 16, 13, and 2%, each of suchboards being separated at adjacent edges by relatively narrow slots 22,24, 26, and 23, exending across the stage floor from side to sidethereof. While, for convenience of illustration, five floor boards withfour intermediate slots are shown in the drawing, any other desirednumber thereof may be employed.

Wing structures or scenery, generally indicated in broken lines, forexample at 30 and 32, may be provided as desired on or along the sidesof the stage and also a side and back drop curtain, as shown in brokenlines at 34-, supported from a curved or other suitably shaped rod, asshown at 36, may be employed.

The before mentioned stage floor boards 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 aresupported by attachment at their opposite ends to the upper surface of apair of side cross beams 38 and 40, which cross beams are, in turn,supported at their ends upon four vertical columns 4 2, 44, 4'6, and 43.The columns may be of any desired length, but preferably are such as toelevate the stage floor sufficiently above the ground or other basesurface to provide adequate room under the stage for the puppeteers andfor convenient manipulation of the puppet controls.

Extending laterally from each side of the stage 10 and positioned alongan outer extension of each of the aforementioned slots 22, 2d, 26, and28 are a plurality of elongated supporting platforms, the supportingplatforms on the left hand side of the stage being shown at 56), 52, and56, and the supporting platform on the right hand side of the stagebeing shown at 53, 55, 57, and 5%. These platforms serve as suppontingmeans or runways for the outwardly extending opposite end portions ofslide members slidably carried in the before mentioned slots, as will behereinafter more fully described. Each inner end of each of thesupporting platforms 5th, 52, 54, and 56 on the one side, and 53, 55,57, and 59 on the other side, rests upon and is secured, as best shownin FIGURE 4, by suitable means, such as screws 61, to the upper surfacesof cleat cross members 58 and 61, such cleat members being fastened bysuitable means, such as nails as, to the outer sides of the stage floorside cross beams 33 and 40, respectively. The outer ends of each of thesupporting platforms 5h, 52, 54-, and 56, and S3, 55, 5'7, and 59 aresupported upon outboard auxiliary cross beams as and 63, respectively,which are, in turn, supported at their center portions upon verticalcolumns 62 and 64. The outer ends of each of the supporting platformshas attached thereto an upwardly projecting stop block, as shown at as,to limit the endwise travel of the slide members in either directionwithin their respective slots such that upon extreme outward travel ofthe slide members the notches 9t? are stopped within and prevented frombeing carried outwardly beyond their respective access openings.

Referring now primarily to FIGURES 2 and 3, the adjacent edges of eachof the parallel stage floor boards 12, l4, l6, l3, and 2d are spacedapart to from the slots 22, 24-, 26, and 2/8, as before mentioned. Slots24 shown in cross section in FIGURE 3 and which is typical of all theslots, is formed with confronting, vertical, slotfaicing edge surfaces64a and 64b extending downward from the top surface of the floor boards16 and 14 a fraction of the thickness of the boards, opposite beveledportions 66a and 66b sloping downwardly and away from the lower edges ofthe edge surfaces of the slot, horizontal undercut portions 63a and 63bextending laterally away from the lower edges of the beveled portions,and vertical end portions 7% and 7% extending downwardly from theoutermost edges of the beveled portions to the lower surfaces 72a and72b of the stage boards 16 and Undercut recesses 7301 0nd 73b are thusprovided along the lengths of the edges of the stage boards on oppositesides of and parallel with each of the slots. Attached by suitablemeans, such as screws 71, to the marginal surfaces 74a and 74b along thelength of the lower surfaces 72a and 72b of the stage boards 16 and 14,respectively, and extending inwardly toward one another under theaforesaid recesses 73a and 73b are elongated metal strips or flanges 76aand 76b having upwardly facing exposed surfaces 78a and 7%,respectively,

opposite the downwardly facing undercut surfaces 68a and'oiib. A pair ofparallel, confrontingly facing, channel shaped guide tracks are thusformed in which are retained and rollingly supported a plurality ofsmall rubber tired wheels, as shown at 8th: and dill).

Referring against primarily to FIGURE 3 and also to FEGURES 2 and 4,positioned slidably in slot 24, and similarly in all of the other slotsof the stage, is an elongated slide member $54- which rnay beconstructed in any suitable manner, but preferably as herein illustratedtakes the form of an elongated metal angle having a horizontal leg 85substantially filling the width of the slot 24 with its top surfaceflush with the top surfaces of the stage boards, and a downwardlyextending leg 36. Each of the before mentioned rubber tired wheels 53%and Ebb are rotatably carried upon horizontal axles, as shown at tideand tifib which axles are, in turn, attached at their inner ends throughsuitable holes and by nuts, as shown at 93, to the downwardly extendingleg 26 of the slide member angle The slide member 84 is thus guidedlysupported on a plurality of wheels, as shown at 8th: and 8%, withfreedom for longitudinal travel within limits in slot 24. Screwed to thelower surface at a plurality of locations along the length of thehorizontal leg 85 of the angle 84 are filler blocks 88 which serve asguide means to maintain the angle 84- center in the slot 24 and preventthe horizontal leg 85, by inadvertent misadjustment, from becomingdisplaced sidewise relative to the slot int-o a position overlapping anedge of the top surface of the floor boards.

A rounded side notch 9% is formed in the horizontal leg $5 andarelatively larger V-shaped notch -91 formed in the vertical leg 86 ofthe slide member 554 intermediate its opposite ends, the notch 9% beingsufficiently deep and of such size and shape as to receive the verticalcontrol column res of a puppet to be positioned on the stage, ashereinafter described. Notch 91 is of such size and shape as to provideclearance for the control column so that while located in notch 95? itcan be tilted to different angles, as desired, for example as shown indotted lines at 156 in FIGURE 3. A reenfo-rcing clip is fastened to theouter face of the vertical leg 86 of the slide angle $4 bridging thenotches 9b and 91, by means of two pairs of bolts 1% and 127. Tubularspacers on the bolts 126 and 127 serve to space the clip 125 from theface of leg 86 of angle 84 to afford suificie-nt clearance to permittilting of a control column positioned in notch 90-, as illustrated at156 in FIGURE 3.

Portions of the ends of certain of the stage floor boards are cut awayto form rectangular access openings through the stage floor inside ofthe side cross beams 38 and 4t as shown at 94, Q5, 98, and 16%), alongthe left hand side of the stage and, as shown at B2, 104,186, and 168,along the right hand side of the stage. The ends of the before describedslots 22, 24, 26, and 28 open into communication or in effect intersectthe access openings 9'4, 96, 98, and 109, respectively, on the left handside of the stage floor and openings 162, W4, 1%, and 1%, respectively,on the right hand side of the stage floor. Each of such access opening-sis of such size and shape as to permit a puppet figure, which is to bepositioned on the stage, to be inserted therethrough either from belowthe stage floor or to permit the control mechanism of such puppet figureto be inserted therethrough from above the stage floor level, wherebythe control column extending between such puppet figure and the controlmechanism can be positioned in the notch 9d of the slide member 84 andmoved therewith along the slot, and whereby the puppet figure may becaused to enter and move onto the stage, as hereinafter more fullydescribed.

Operation In operation of the apparatus of this invention, it isassumed, for convenience of description, that the mechanical puppet andcontrol mechanism assembly to be employed therewith is of the kinddescribed in the aforementioned copending application Serial No. 38,391.Such puppet assembly, shown generally at 184 in FEGURE l, in readinessto be placed in operating position relative to the stage, comprises thepuppet figure 11%), control mechanism shown generally at 112 includingcontrol levers 1%, 198, 2%, and 292, and tubular control column 156interconnecting the puppet figure and the control mechanism, all asfully described together with similar reference numerals in theaforementioned copending application.

In placing the puppet assembly in operating position relative to thestage, the control mechanism 184 of the assembly is preferably firstinserted downwardly through a selected one of the several accessopenings, 94 to 1438 inclusive, to a position where the puppet figurefit} is located above the level of the floor boards, the controlmechanism 184 is suspended below the floor boards, and the controlcolumn 166 extends therebetween through such access opening. The accessopening chosen will depend upon what part of the stage floor it isdesired to place and move the puppet figure and from which side of thestage it is desired to have the puppet figure enter.

Assuming, for example, that the access opening 96 into which the lefthand end of slot 24 extends, is thus chosen, then the control mechanism18 -3 is inserted down therethrough, as indicated by the arrow 1245. Theslide member 84 is then as beforehand moved to its extreme left handposition in slot 24, as shown in FIGURE 1, at which position the notch9b in the mid-section of the slide member 84 is carried therewith 'intoexposed position within the access opening 96. The puppet control column156- is then positioned in engagement with the notch 90, and the entirepuppet assembly turned so that the puppet is facing in a directionparallel to the direction in which the slot 24 runs, after which thecontrol column, carrying the whole puppet assembly, may be movedlaterally toward the right through the slot 24 with correspondingsliding movement of the slide member 84 along the slot 24. The puppetfigure 119 may thus be moved onto and across the stage into any desiredposition, such as for example that illustrated at 110a, the latterposition for convenience of illustration and for the purpose of showingthe corresponding lateral displacement of the slide member, being shownin relation to slot 22 instead of slot 24. As the puppet is thus movedonto the stage and moved back and forth on the stage, the slide memberfreely follows the movements of the puppet. During such movement, andother manipulations of the puppet, the puppet assembly is preferablymaintained in a lowered position in which the bottom surface of thepuppet figure is substantially in contact with the upper surface of thestage floor adjacent the edges of slot 24 or such other slot as ischosen, and in the specific case of use of the puppet figure describedin the aforesaid copending application, the puppet figure is positionedsuch that the transparent, plastic wheel carrying the (reference numeral42 in that application is maintained in rolling and supportingengagement with the top surface of the stage floor adjacent such slot.Thus, as the puppet is faced in the direction of its movement with theslide member as before mentioned, it will Walk out onto the stage,across the stage, and oil the stage in accordance with the puppeteerscontrol. Once, the puppet is positioned on the stage, such asillustrated at Mile in FIGURE 1, it can be rotated in any desireddirection, tilted within limits in any desired direction, and any of theother desired manipulations of the puppet can 7 be performed, asdescribed in the before mentioned copending application Serial No.38,391.

Advantages of the stage construction, including the particular stagefloor slot and slide member arrangement of this invention, in additionto those hereinbefore mentioned, reside the relatively free rotationaland tilting movements which it makes possible to impart to the puppetcontrol column and to the puppet, While at the same time providingsupport and relatively frictionless movement of the puppet upon thestage.

While the slots and stage boards are herein described and shown asrunning parallel with each other and crosswise of the stage, they can besimilarly arranged in nonparallel configurations and running in anydesired direction, as may be desired or required by the particularpuppet performance.

it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative only and thatthe invention is not to be limited thereby, but shall include allmodification-s thereof within the scope of definition of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a miniature stage for performance thereon of puppetry with aseparate mechanical puppet assembly which includes a puppet figure forappearance upon the stage, a control member to be concealed from viewbelow the stage, and a relatively slender control column interconnectingsaid puppet figure and said control member, apparatus comprising: astage floor; an elongated, relatively narrow slot extending along saidfloor and through said floor from the top surface to the under surfacethereof; an elongated slide member substantially closing said slot andretained longitudinally slidable therein, said slide member beingseparate from said puppet assembly; a sidewardly opening notch formed inone edge of said slide member from top surface to bottom thereof,whereby the control column of such a puppet may be received anddetachably retained in said notch, with freedom thereof for rotationalmovement about its axis and with limited freedom for angular movement inall direc tions transversely of its axis relative to said slide member,and be moved therewith along said slot while extending therethroughtransversely of the said top surface of said floor.

2. In a miniature stage for performance thereon of puppetry with aseparate mechanical puppet assembly which includes a puppet figure forappearance upon the stage, a control member to be concealed from viewbelow the stage, and a relatively slender control column interconnectingsaid puppet figure and said control member, apparatus comprising: astage floor; an elongated, relatively narrow slot extending along saidfloor and through said floor from the top surface to the upper surfacethereof; an elongated slide member substantially closing said slot andretained longitudinally slidable therein with its top surfacesubstantially flush with the top surface of said floor, said slidemember being separate from said puppet assembly; a sidewardly openingnotch formed across one edge of said slide member from top surface tobottom thereof, whereby the control column of such a puppet may bereceived and detachably retained in said notch with freedom forrotational movement about its axis and with limited freedom for angularmovement in all directions transversely of its axis relative to saidslide member and be moved therewith along said slot while extendingtherethrough transversely of said top surface of said floor.

3. In a miniature stage for performance thereon of puppetry with aseparate mechanical puppet assembly which includes a puppet figure forappearance upon the stage, a control member to be concealed from viewbelow the stage, and a relatively slender control column interconnectingsaid puppet figure and said control member, apparatus comprising: astage floor; an elongated relatively narrow slot extending along saidfloor and through said floor from the top surface to the under surfacethereof; an elongated slide member substantially closing said slot andretained longitudinally slidable therein; an opening through said floorintersected by said slot and of sufficient size to permit passagetherethrough of either such puppet figure or such control member, saidslide member being slidably positionable in said opening; a sidewardlyopening notch formed across one edge of said slide member from topsurface to bottom surface thereof, said notch being positionable in saidopening, whereby the control column of such puppet may be received anddetachably retained in said notch and moved therewith along said slotwhile extending therethrough transversely of said top surface of thefloor.

4. In a miniature stage for performance thereon of puppetry with aseparate mechanical puppet assembly which includes a puppet figure forappearance upon the stage, a control member to be concealed from viewbelow the stage and a relatively slender control column interconnectingsaid puppet figure and said control member, apparatus comprising: astage floor; an elongated, relatively narrow slot extending along saidfioor and through said floor from the top surface to the under surfacethereof; an opening through said floor intersected by said slot and ofsufficient size to permit passage therethrough of either said puppetfigure or said control member, whereby the said puppet assembly may beinitially positioned with said control column extending through saidopening with the puppet figure located above the floor surface and thecontrol member below the floor; an elongated slide member longitudinallyslidably retained in said slot, substantially closing the width of saidslot and with its top surface substantially flush with the top surfaceof said floor, said slide member being slidably positionable across saidopening; a sidewardly opening notch formed in the side of said slidemember and extending transversely from top to bottom side thereof, saidnotch being positionable in said opening and in said slot by lengthwisesliding movement of said slide memoer along said slot, whereby the saidcontrol column thus introduced through said opening may be detachablyreceived in said notch when said notch is moved into said opem'ng andthen retained in said notch while said slide member is movedlongitudinally long said slot across the stage, the side opening of saidnotch being closed by the adjacent edge of said slot during such slidingmovement across the stage.

5. In a miniature stage for performance thereon of puppetry with aseparate mechanical puppet assembly which includes a puppet figure forappearance upon the stage, a control member to be concealed from viewbelow the stage, and a relatively slender control column interconnectingsaid puppet figure and said control member, apparatus comprising: astage fioor; an elongated, relatively narrow slot extending along saidfloor and through said floor from the top surface to the under surfacethereof; a track member under said floor adjacent to and runningparallel with said slot; an elongated slide member longitudinallyslidably positioned in said slot; means attached to the lower portion ofsaid slide member and movably supported on said track, whereby saidslide member is supported in said slot as aforesaid; a sidewardlyopening notch formed in one edge of said slide member forming aclearance space between said slide member and the adjacent edge of saidslot, whereby the control column of such puppet may be detachablyreceived in said notch in said slide member and moved therewith alongsaid slot while extending therethrough transversely of the top surfaceof the said floor.

6. In a miniature stage for performance thereon of puppetry with aseparate mechanical puppet assembly which includes a puppet figure forappearance upon the stage, a control member to be concealed from viewbelow the stage, and a relatively slender control column interconnectingsaid puppet figure and said control member, appartius comprising: astage floor; an elongated, relatively narrow slot extending along saidfloor and through said floor from the top surface to the under surfacethereof; .a track member under said fioor adjacent to and runningparallel with said slot; an elongated slide member longitudinallyslidably positioned in said slot; wheels rotatably attached to the lowerportion of said slide memher and movably supported on said track,whereby said slide member is supported in said slot as aforesaid; asidewardly opening notch. formed in one edge of said slide memberforming a clearance space between said slide member and the adjacentedge of said slot, Whereby the control column of such puppet may bedetachably received in said notch in said slide member and movedtherewith along said slot while extending therethrough transversely ofthe top surface of the said floor.

7. In a miniature stage for performance thereon of puppetry withaseparate mechanical puppet assembly which includes a puppet figure forappearance upon the stage, a control member to be concealed from viewbelow the stage, and a relatively slender control column interconnectingsaid pupet figure and said control member, apparatus comprising: a stagefloor; an elongated, relatively narrow slot extending along said floorand through said floor from the top surface to the under surfacethereof; a pair of track members under said floor each running adjacentto and parallel with opposite edges of said slot; an elongated slidemember longitudinally slidably positioned in said slot; a plurality ofwheels rotatably attached to opposite sides of the lower portion of saidslide member and rollingly supported on said tracks, whereby said slidemember is supported in said slot as aforesaid; 1a sidewurdly openingnotch formed in an edge of said slide member forming a clearance spacebetween said slide member and the adjacent edge of said slot, wherebythe control column of said puppet may be detachably received in saidnotch in said slide member moved therewith along said slot whileextending therethrough transversely of the top surface of the saidfioor.

8. In a miniature stage for performance thereon of puppetry with aseparate mechanical puppet assembly which includes a puppet figure forappearance upon the stage, a control member to be concealed from viewbelow the stage, and a relatively slender control column interconnectingsaid puppet figure and said control member, apparatus comprising: astage floor; an elongated, relatively narrow slot extending along saidfloor and through said floor from the top surface to the under surfacethereof; a track member fixed under said floor adjacent to and runningparallel with said slot; an elongated slide member longitudinallyslidably positioned in said slot; rolling means positioned between thelower portion of said slide means and said track and movably supportingsaid slide member in said slot as aforesaid; means in said slide memberfor detachably receiving and movably retaining such control column ofsuch puppet therein, permitting such control column freedom forrotational movement and limited angular movement while being movedtherewith along said slot and while extending transversely of the topsurface of said floor.

9. in a miniature stage for performance thereon of puppetry with aseparate mechanical puppet assembly which includes a puppet figure forappearance upon the stage, a control member to be concealed from viewbelow the stage, and a relatively slender control column interconnectingsaid puppet figure and said control member, apparatus comprising: astage floor; a relatively narrow slot extending across said'floor fromside to side thereof and through said floor from the top surface to theunder surface thereof; a slide member substantially closing the widthand entire length of said slot and having a length greater than thelength of said slot, thereby permitting sliding movement of said slidemember relative to said slot while maintaining the entire length of saidslot closed as aforesaid; a sidewardly opening recess formed in one edgeof said slide member, extending between the top surface and the bottomsurface thereof for detachably receiving and movably retaining thecontrol column of such puppet for movement therewith along said slotWhile extending therethrou gh transversely of the top surface of saidfloor.

10. In a miniature stage for performance thereon of puppetry with aseparate mechanical puppet assembly which includes a puppet figure forappearance upon the stage, a control member to be concealed from viewbelow the stage, and a relatively slender control column interconnectingsaid puppet figure and said control member, apparatus comprising: astage fioor, a relatively narrow slot extending across said fioor fromside to side thereof and through said floor from the top surface to theunder surface thereof; a slide member substantially closing the width ofsaid slot and having a length greater than the length of said slot,thereby permitting sliding movement of said slide member lengthwise ofsaid slot while maintaining the length of said slot closed; an openingthrough said fioor intersected by said slot and of sufficient size topermit passage therethrough of either said puppet figure or said controlmember, whereby said puppet assembly may be initially positioned withsaid control column extending through said opening with the puppetlocated above the floor surface and the control member below the floor;a track member fixed under said floor adjacent to and running parallelwith said slot; rolling means positioned between the lower portion ofsaid slide member and said track and movably supporting said slidemember in said slot as aforesaid; a sidewardly opening notch formed inan edge of said slide member and extending transversely from topto underside thereof, said notch being positionable in said opening and in saidslot by sliding movement of said slide member along said slot, wherebysaid control column thus introduced through said opening may be receivedin said notch and then while retained in said notch in said slide membermay be moved therewith along said slot onto and across said stage floor,the side opening of said notch then being closed and the control columnbeing retained therein by the adjacent edge of said slot during suchsliding movement.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim and support means positionedadjacent the side of said stage floor for receiving and supporting anend poltion of said slide member extending from said slot.

12. In a miniature stage for performance thereon of puppetry with aseparate mechanical puppet assembly which includes a puppet figure forappearance upon the stage, a control member to be concealed from viewbelow the stage, and a relatively slender control column interconnectingsaid puppet figure and said control member, apparatus comprising: .astage floor; a relatively narrow slot extending across said floor fromside to side thereof and through said floor from the top surface to theundersurface thereof; a slide member slidable lengthwise of andsubstantially closing the width and entire length of said slot; 21sidewardly opening recess formed in one edge of said slide member, saidrecess and side opening thereof extending between the top surface andthe bottom surface of said slide member for detachably receivingthereinto the control column of such puppet assembly for movement withsaid slide member along said slot while extending therethroughtransversely of the top surface of said floor, the side opening of saidrecess being closed by the adjacent floor edge of said slot during suchmovement.

13. In a miniature stage for performance thereon of puppetry with aseparate mechanical puppet assembly which includes a puppet figure forappearance upon the stage, a control member to be concealed from viewbelow the stage, and a relatively slender control column interconnectingsaid puppet figure and said control member, apparatus comprising: astage floor; a relatively narrow slot extending across said floor fromside to side thereof and through said floor from the top surface to theundersurface thereof; a slide member slidabl-e lengthwise of andsubstantially closing the Width and entire length of said slot and withits top surface substantially flush with the top surface of said floor;and a sidewardly opening recess formed in one edge of said slide member,said recess and side opening thereof extending between the top surfaceand the bottom surface of said slide member for detachably receivingthereinto and removably retaining the control column of such puppetassembly for movement with said slide member along said slot whileextending therethrou'gh transversely of the top surface of said floor,the side opening of said recess being closed by the adjacent floor edgeof said slot during such movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS696,835 McCormick Apr. -1, 1902 1,053,817 Jackson Feb. 18, 19131,384,963 La Batt July 19, 1921 1,502,236 Dondo July 22, 1924 1,788,671Heideklang Jan. 13, 1931 2,175,604 [Holmes Oct. 10, 1939 2,207,190Caranahan July 9, 1940 2,327,234 Wolff et al Aug. 17, 1943 2,716,840Armstrong Sept. 6, 1955 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION Patent No; 3, 124,896 March 17 1964 Robert M. Cook It ishereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read ascorrected below.

Column 6 line 24, for "upper" read under..--; column 7, line 2, for"member" read means line. 16 for "long" read along line 70, for pupet"read puppet Signed and sealed this 21st day of July 1964,

(SEAL) Attest:

ESTON G. JOHNSON EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

12. IN A MINIATURE STAGE FOR PERFORMANCE THEREON OF PUPPETRY WITH ASEPARATE MECHANICAL PUPPET ASSEMBLY WHICH INCLUDES A PUPPET FIGURE FORAPPEARANCE UPON THE STAGE, A CONTROL MEMBER TO BE CONCEALED FROM VIEWBELOW THE STAGE, AND A RELATIVELY SLENDER CONTROL COLUMN INTERCONNECTINGSAID PUPPET FIGURE AND SAID CONTROL MEMBER, APPARATUS COMPRISING: ASTAGE FLOOR; A RELATIVELY NARROW SLOT EXTENDING ACROSS SAID FLOOR FROMSIDE TO SIDE THEREOF AND THROUGH SAID FLOOR FROM THE TOP SURFACE TO THEUNDERSURFACE THEREOF; A SLIDE MEMBER SLIDABLE LENGTHWISE OF ANDSUBSTANTIALLY CLOSING THE WIDTH AND ENTIRE LENGTH OF SAID SLOT; ASIDEWARDLY OPENING RECESS FORMED IN ONE EDGE OF SAID SLIDE MEMBER, SAIDRECESS AND SIDE OPENING THEREOF EXTENDING BETWEEN THE TOP SURFACE ANDTHE BOTTOM SURFACE OF SAID SLIDE MEMBER FOR DETACHABLY RECEIVINGTHEREINTO THE CONTROL COLUMN OF SUCH PUPPET ASSEMBLY FOR MOVEMENT WITHSAID SLIDE MEMBER ALONG SAID SLOT WHILE EXTENDING THERETHROUGHTRANSVERSELY OF THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID FLOOR, THE SIDE OPENING OF SAIDRECESS BEING CLOSED BY THE ADJACENT FLOOR EDGE OF SAID SLOT DURING SUCHMOVEMENT.